‘I chose the Egyptian dream: the dream to make a TV show, and then be called an infidel by the end’

Bassem Youssef on the set of “The Show” (courtesy of Hollywood Theatre)

Bassem Youssef gives us a lot to laugh about and a lot to to learn in his new documentary, “Tickling Giants.”

The Performance Hall in partnership with Waterkeepers Iraq opened its doors on May 11 to welcome PC students, staff and community members alike interested in satire, freedom of expression and the political pressure that restricts entire countries from participating in these daily assertions

Youssef, a doctor-turned-political-satirist, has lived through the regimes of three separate Egyptian presidents; their policies and processes are what inspired Youssef to take his comedic commentary to the web, where he ended up hosting, “The Show.”

His satirical quips and jabs at the presidents and military leaders of his home country are reminiscent of what one might see from Jon Stewart, John Oliver or Stephen Colbert.

There are a plethora of political commentary shows available to the American people, and a couple dozen subsequent comedians to keep a bemused yet critical spotlight pointed at any missteps our government officials might take. Egypt, however, is not afforded the same variety on their cable networks.

Youssef and “The Show” are entirely unique because the Freedom of Speech in Egypt has a fine print; it doesn’t necessarily extend to journalists or personalities who dare to actively criticise their presidents.

In fact, if they do exercise this right, they’re threatened, jailed and tortured by their representatives, and at times, the citizens who support them. It’s a struggle Youssef fought for the three years that his show was on air.

“Tickling Giants” is a significant film because it does not depict Egypt as yet another country experiencing the atrocities and human rights infringements that occur every single day in the Middle East.

It gives us an up-close and personal perspective of the conditions millions of human beings are currently forced to survive under and have survived under for decades and decades.

Youssef is not put on a pedestal, he is not revered as a superhero or savior. He’s a person who has had enough with the oppressive and silencing ways of his leaders and has dared to speak up about it. To a live audience and the 13 million Egyptians watching from home who agree with him.